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    This Week in Wrigley History (May 28–June 3)

    By Rick Kaempfer
    In This Week In Wrigley History
    May 28th, 2023
    2 Comments
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    May 30, 1922
    The goat of the 1918 World Series, Max Flack, was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for fellow outfielder Cliff Heathcote between games of a double header. Flack was a fan favorite until he dropped a crucial fly ball in the ninth inning of the deciding game of the 1918 World Series. That error allowed the winning run to score. His defensive lapse seemed a little fishy considering that Flack lead the league in fielding percentage three of the next four years. The Black Sox of 1919 believed it was proof that the Cubs had thrown the series.

    On the day he was traded, Flack played for the Cubs in game 1 and for the Cardinals in game 2. The Cubs won both games.

    Flack played three more seasons in St. Louis before retiring. Heathcote played for the Cubs until 1930.

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    May 28: In 1936, a bench clearing brawl excites the Wrigley fans. Woody English is hit by a pitch and charges pitcher Lee Stine. Both players are ejected and so are Reds coach George Kelly and Cubs coach Roy Johnson who really slugged it out…In 1961, a hot dog stand near the right field corner catches fire, and the firefighters from Fire Engine House #78 come in from across Waveland Avenue to extinguish the fire…In 1966 Ron Santo hits a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 12th against the Braves, and in 1970 Jim Hickman does it in the bottom of the ninth against the Pirates.

    May 29: In 1943, Claude Passeau pitches a 13-inning complete game against the Braves on his fourth anniversary as a Cub. In 1955, Ernie Banks hits one of his five grand slams that season. And in 1966 Ron Santo hits a walk-off homer to win it for the second straight day. The Cubs only win 59 games that season.

    May 30: On this day in 1930 the Cubs pennant chances take a severe blow when their MVP Rogers Hornsby breaks his ankle. In 1952, Bob Rush pitches a two-hitter for the Cubs. He retires the first 20 batters. In 1964, Sterling Slaughter does him one better, tossing a one-hitter against the Milwaukee Braves. Future Cub Ed Bailey gets the only hit….In1956, the Cubs and Braves combine for 15 homers in a double header. Moose Moryn hits three of them. The Cubs lose both games.

    May 31: In 1931 Bob Smith pitches a 2-hitter against a Pittsburgh Pirates lineup that features three future Hall of Famers, the Waner brothers and Pie Traynor. Ex-Pirate Kiki Cuyler knocks in the winning run.

    June 1: In the midst of his record-setting RBI season in 1930, Hack Wilson drives in six runs against the Pirates. Charlie Grimm and Gabby Hartnett each add three more, and the Cubs win 16-4…In 1950 the Cubs get an actual sign from God. Lightning hits the clubhouse during a rain delay against the Phillies. The Cubs trainer is knocked to the floor. (The Cubs lose the game 8-4)

    June 2: In 1956, Don Kaiser is called up for his first major league start. He throws a 2-hitter against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Both of the hits come off the bats of future Hall of Famers. Duke Snider singles in the first, and Pee Wee Reese singles in the 9th.

    June 3: In 1975 Bill Madlock homers to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th, and then doubles in Don Kessinger in the bottom of the tenth inning to win the game against the Giants…In 2003 Sammy breaks his bat during an at-bat against Tampa, and cork is found. He is ejected and suspended.

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